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Jenkins County woman pleads guilty to murder

A Jenkins County woman pled guilty Friday to killing her husband and agreed to testify for the state against a man investigators say was also involved. Tracy Harley, 30, "pled guilty to murder," said Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Richard Mallard. She was sentenced to life in prison and will be eligible for parole "at some point," he said. Rico Orlando Walker, 37, Hartwell, is also suspected in the April 25, 2006 murder of Steven Harley. But Walker, whom investigators have said had a relationship with Tracy Harley, still faces trial. Mallard said Tuesday Walker's trial may be heard within two to three weeks, but a date has not been set. "The case is continued," he said. "And she's (Tracy Harley) agreed to testify for the state." Tracy Harley called 911 around 1 a.m. April 25 to report a break-in. Jenkins County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the Hiltonia Road home to find Steven Harley, 31, dead. Autopsy reports revealed he died from "blunt force trauma to the head." Reports also stated he suffered a stab wound to the neck. Harley's truck was also reported stolen after the attack, and was discovered later that day in the parking lot of a Waynesboro restaurant. Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents and investigators from the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit district attorney's office joined Jenkins County Sheriff's investigators in pursuing the case.

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